Multicolor-printing press.



F. M. TURCK. MUL'HCOLOR PRINTING PRESS APPLICATION FILED MAY22,19I3.

Patented July 13, 1915.

$51 elite 6 MULTIGOLOR-PRINTING PRESS.

inoan.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 13, 1915.

Application filed May 22 1913. Serial No. 769,186.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, FREDERICK M. TURCK, a citizen of the United States,and resident of New York, in the county of New York and State of NewYork, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inMulticolor-Printing Presses, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to improvements in multicolor printing presses inwhich rotating couples are employed to print two or more colors insuperimposed relation upon sheets of material; and the objects of theinvention are to provide a compact and readily accessible constructionin which the sheets may be completely printed in one operation, toinsure a more perfect register of the printed matter, and also to afforda uniform impression from the several printing plates. The inventionalso includes certain details of construction, hereinafter set v forth.

In describing the invention in detail reference is bad to theaccompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and whereinlike characters of, reference are used to designate corresponding partsthroughout the several views, and in which:

Figure 1 is a ground plan of the press embodying the present invention,shown with certain well-known parts removed to more clearly illustratethe novel features thereof; Fig. 2, a sectional side elevation of thesame, taken on the broken line 1 ;2 Fig. l, and including the feeding.delivering and inking mechanism; and Fig. 3 is a sectional sideelevation of a single printing couple and sheet-carrier of a two-colorpress, shown as a modified form of construc tion.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, numeral 1 designates the base-plate of thepress, upon which are mounted the fixed front and rear side frames 2 and3 respectively. In these frames suitable bearings are provided in whichare journaled for rotation the two sets of printing couples, composed ofthe form or plate cylinders 4 and 5 and the impression-cylinders 6 and7. Each of the form-cylinders is divided circumferentially into threeequal sections, two thereof being provided with printing plates, whilethe third is left blank or idle, the plates for cylinder 4 beingindicated by the letters R and and those for cylinder 5 by letters and13 3 the several letters likewise respectively indicating the commonlyemployed colors red, blue, yellow and black. arbitrarily arrangedherein. The several plates are detachably secured in the usual mannerupon the form-cylinders, and are adapted to engage for printing actionthe corresponding impression surfaces of the cylinders 6 and 7,indicated by 1', 1 b and 72?), these surfaces being conventionallyarranged with detachable draw and filling sheets to afford means ofapplying the necessary packing or finake-ready for securing uniformimpressions. As thus arranged, it will be obvious that each plate in itsrepeated revolutions will engage the same section of the impressionsurface and thereby preserve a corresponding uniformity in theimpressions.

For imparting motion to the printing couples, a shaft 8 is mounted inbearings formed in the rear frame 3 and in the floorstand 9. the shaftbeing provided with a power-pulley 10 and a driving pinion 11, thelatter engaging the loosely-mounted in termediate gears 12, shown inbroken lines in Fig. 2. The intermediates 12 engage gears 13, fixed uponthe shafts ofthe impression-cylinders 6 and 7, and the latter gears inturn engage corresponding gears 14:, fixed upon the shafts of theform-cylinders l and 5, the several gears being proportioned to rotatethe several cylinders of the printing couples at a common rate of speed.

For advancing the work to be printed, a sheet-carrier is provided,composed of the oppositely-disposed annular side heads 15, connectedtogether by the cross-braces 16, and arranged for rotation upon thebearing surfaces or runways 17, fixed upon the interior surfaces of theopposite side frames 2 and 3. Bearing-rollers 18 are preferably providedfor the carrier-heads, and jour naled therein for rolling contact uponthe runways. For imparting rotation to the sheet-carrier, the headsthereof at their periphery are provided with gear-teeth 19, which areengaged by thegears 20, fixed to the shaft of the form-cylinder i.

To the outer edges of the cross-braces 16 are fixed a series of thinannular bars arranged to divide the sheet-carrier circumferentially intoseven equal sections, the bars and corresponding sections both beingindicated by the numerals 21lto 27 inclusive. Each section adjacent thecross-brace thereof is provided with a set of grippers 28, ar-

at eachicoiisecutive revolution of the couples.

interior, supports for the sheets, and their crrcumferential lengthscorrespond severally inders, as measured upon the impression surfaces ofthelatter, and with which they are driven at 'a corresponding rate ofspeed,

the circular path-of the former being tangent to the line ofprintingcontact of the two printing couples. To afford the'necessary clearancefor the path of the crossbars and grippers ofv the carrier,longitudinally extending recesses or grooves 30 are .f rmedin theimpression-cylinders 6, and 7, '20.

on opposite sides of the impression surfaces, "WlllCll recesses alsoserveto contain the necessary fixtures for adjusting and retaining thecylinder cover sheets, these latter sheets being also spaced apartlongitudinally of the cylinder forclearing the annular carrier-bars, thelateral spaclng of which bars corresponds with that of the side andintermediate margins of the printed sheets.

As shown in Fig. 2, the sheets, as indicated in broken" lines upon thecarrier-sections' and With' respect to their printed conditions, arepositioned in accordance with the-general operation of the press,Whichpositionsyrelative 'to the printing couples andto-the feed anddelivery devices, occur As'indicated, the carrier-sections 24 and 27contain no sheets, having passed adjacent the blank sections on theform-cylinders in the latters previous revolution; section 21 of thecarrier holds a new sheet; section 22, a sheet having imprints of redand yellow colors; section 23, a sheet completely printed and ready fordelivery; section 25, a sheet with a red imprint thereon; and section26, one with red, yellow and blue imprints. During the followingrevolution of the printing couples each carriersection will advancethree divisions andthe sheets on sections 21 and 23 will pass betweenthe printing couples d and (i and respectively receive the imprints Rand B; likewise sheets on 25 and 26 will receive Y and BB imprints fromthe printing couple 5 and 7; the section 23 will deliverits sheet uponthe delivery-tapes 31 and pass in blank relation with the blank sectionon form-cylinder 4; and the'blank section 24 will receive a new sheetfrom the feed-table 29. It will be obvious that the several sections ofthe carrier as thus advanced the three divisions wiil, at the beginningand at the end of such movement, be similarly positioned with respect tothe printed condition and feed and delivery of the sheets. In likemannereach W1th those of the sections of the form-cyl-" immediatelysucceeding revolution of the printing couples presents a correspondingcondition, necessitating the feed of a new sheet and the deli ery of aprinted one. For completing a cycle of the carrier-section 21, it willbe found that seven revolutions of the printing couples will he requiredas follows: in the first revolution the new sheet thereon will havereceived in its movement of three divisions a red impression, in thesecond revolution a red and yellow, in the third a red, yellowjand blue,in the fourth a red, yellow, blue and black, in the fifth the sheet willhave been delivered, in the sixth the section will have remained blank,and in the seventh, a new sheet will have been fed thereto, all asseverally indicated by the reference characters in the consecutivepositions.

To provide for the delivery of a sheet at each revolution of a printingcouple, the rock-shafts of the several sets of grippers 28 are eachprovided at one end with the usual grooved tumbler-head 32, nection witha spring-rod movable with the carrier to normally retain the gripperseither in an open or a closed position, the opening movement thereofbeing effected during the rotation of the carrier by the en gagement ofthe'slotted portion of the tumbier-head with the relatively fixed pin33, disposed in off-set relation with the pivotal center of said head,all arranged in accordance with common practice and'with respect .to thedelivery-tapes 31, which latter is likewise arranged in well-knownmanner with movable guide-bars 34, suitably timed for engagement Withthe lower portion of the leading edge of the advancing sheet fordirecting the latter'upon the tapes. As the successive delivery of thesheets occurs only at each revolution of the printing couples or thirddivisional passage of the carriersections, the grippers on theintermediate sections will remain closed; and to provide for thiscondition the pin 33 is fixed in projecting relation upon an arm 35 of alever pivotally mounted upon the rear side frame. 3, the opposite arm ofthe lever being pivotally connected to a rod 36, engaged by a cam 37,fixed upon the supporting shaft of the form-cylinder 4c, the cam beingproport-ioned and positioned with regard to each revolution thereof toeffect a movement of the pin into two relatively fixed positions, in oneposition thereof, as shown, the pin is alined with the slottedtumbler-heads to effect the opening movement of the grippers,

' and in the opposite position the path of the operating in con- Foraffording additional support of the 'sheets with respect to the annularcarrier sections at their upperportion of movement, a series of brushes40 are mountedwithin said carrier in relatively fixed relation upon aseries of circumferentially-extending bars -11, secured to brackets 42,fixed to the side frame of the press. The bristles of the brush aresufficiently long and resilient to engage the inner surfaces of thesheets in their path of movement and prevent an excessive saggingthereof between the annular carrier-bars, and also by their resilienceare adapted to yield and retract under the contacting movement of thecross-braces l6 and the grippers 28. Exteriorly of the carriersections,the free portion of the sheets in its path is controlled by the fixedguides a3, conveniently supported in any approved manner; and also forurging the sheets in contact with the impression surfaces adjacent theline of printing contact to avoid premature engagement of the forms andconsequent smearing of the sheets, a1r-supply pipes 44 are provided,having perforations arranged to suitably direct the air, obtained fromany conveninetly connected source of supply.

The forms are provided severally with independent and similar set ofinking devices arranged to distribute ink of suitable color; as, fromthe fountain 45 to the formrollers 46'by meansof a series ofintermediate ro-lls arranged and operated in the usual manner. As hereinshown, the form BB in its rotation is adapted to be yieldingly engagedby the form-rollers 46, the Journalboxes of which are provided withsuitable springs 47 and mounted for the movement necessary for thedisengagement of the r rollers. from the form, which movement iseffected by the engagement ofa projecting bearing surface formed on eachof the cams 48 with the guiding wheels 49,.the former being fixed uponthe shaft of the form-cylinder 5 and the latter loosely mounted upon theshafts of the form-rollers 46. It will be evident that by providing forthe cams suitable projecting bearing surfaces for the guiding wheels,the distribution of the ink may be limited to its proper printing form.

In like manner the several sets of inking devices are arranged withcam-controlled form-rollers for the application of the ink u, 1 theforms.

As herein shown, the double set of inking devices for each of theform-cylinders are adapted to be mounted upon movable standards arrangedindependently of the main frames, from which they may be convenientlyseparated temporarily for adjusting both the printing forms and theinking rollers. These standards are indicated by the numeral 50 and arepreferably provided with bearing rollers 51 arranged to run upon tracksformed on the upper face of the baseplate 1, to which the standards aredetachably secured in operativeposition.

To provide for initially inking the forms preparatory for the printingoperation, the form-cylinders thereof are disengaged from theirrespective impression-cylinders, the latter of which are mounted in theusual manner in slidable journal-boxes operatively connected formovement in opposite directions by the toggle-arms indicated by thenumeral 52, the latter being actuated by the rod 53 in any approvedmanner.

In the construction of the form-cylinders 4 and 5, it will be obviousthat the relatively increased diameter thereof, due to the double formsections and the necessary addition of the blank surface thereon, willhave certain advantages, not only with respect to the construction ofthe connected printing plates in requiring a less degree of stretch anddistortion in the bending process thereders also permits the use ofform-rollers of relatively greater diameter, thus allowing of increasedspacing of certain of the parts to render the same accessible to theoperator.

It will be evident in the operation of the printing press as hereindescribed and shown in Figs. 1 and 2, that a plurality of sheets at onehandling may be printed with four superimposed impressions; also, thatthe same press may likewise make three impressions by the disconnectionof a form from one of the form-cylinders; or, by operating upon oneform-cylinder only may make two superimposed impressions upon thesheets, or even a single impression thereon. 1

In the modification shown in Fig. 3, the numerals 54 and 55 designaterespectively the coacting form and impression cylinders considerablygreater The increased diameter of these form-cylin-' of a two-colorpress, and 56, the cross-braces I printing plates R and PB, while theremain- I ing two are left blank. The cross-braces of the sheet-carrierare arranged with grippers operated in the manner shown in Figs. land 2,and during the regular ope ation of the press the sheets are positionedupon the carrier as shown, the arrangement thereof providing for thefeedand delivery of a single sheet at each consecutive revolution of theform-cylinder. As indicated, section 57 is provided with a new sheet,section 58 with 10 a sheet having the imprint R, section 59 a sheet withthe imprints. R and B, sections 60 and 61 areboth blank. In the nextfollowing revolution of the form-cylinder the carrier. will haveadvanced four divisions, during which time the sheet on section 57 willhave received the imprint R, section 58 the R and B imprints, section 59will deliver its sheet to the tapes 62, section 60 will remain blank,and section 61 will take a new sheet from the feed-table 63 and beadvanced to the present position of section 57. It will thus be seenthat at each-successive revolution of the form and impression cylindersthe carrier will receive a new sheet and deliver one upon which twocolors have 7 been superimposed, and also, that the relative positionsof the remaininglsheets upon the carrier with respect to the printing 2plates and the feed and delivery devices will be common at suchsuccessive revolutions.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that an exceedingly simple,compact and accessible construction has been provided for accomplishingwork ordinarily requiring a considerably greater number of parts. Also,it Will likewise be evident that the sheets as held in undetachedrelation by the grippers --throughout the entire printing operation willafford a perfect register therefor.-

4 I am aware that multicolor printing presses have heretofore beendesigned wherein a' rotary sheet carrier operates in conjunction with aplurality of multi-form printing couples to effect superimposedimpressions, the carrier operating upon a single sheet at a time andrequiring for the completion of the latter a-number of revolutionscorresponding with the number of separate forms, thus necessitating aperiodical tripping action or separation of the printing cvlindersbetween sheet impressions. As, thus arranged it will be obvious that notonly will the output of the machine be comparatively limited, but if thesame is run at considerable speed the tripping action will tend toimpair the register of the Work. In the present invention it is to benoted that the several forms of the printing couples operateconsecutively Without interruption upon the seve "a-l sheets supportedat one time upon the carrier, resulting, as above stated, in thedelivery of a printed sheet complete at each revolution of the printingcouples.

bination of printing mechanism including a form-cylindercircumferentially divided to form a blank section and a plurality ofform sections, severally coactmg impression surfaces for said formsections, .a sheet-carrier arranged to present a sheet to each one ofsaid forms at successive revolutions of said form-cylinder and includingan idle carrier section, and means for delivering said sheetandeffecting the-registration of the idle carrier section with the blanksection of said form-cylinder.

2. In a multicolor printing press, the combination of printing mechanismincluding a form-cylinder circumferentially divided to form a blanksection and a plurality of form sections, severally coacting impressionsurfaces for said form sections, a multiplesheet carrier arranged topresent alternate sheets to each one of .said forms at successiverevolutions of said form-cylinder and including an idle carrier section,andmeans for delivering said sheets and effecting the registration ofthe idle carrier section with the blank section of said form-cylinder.

3. In a multicolor printing press, the combination of printing mechanismincluding a plurality of form-cylinders, each thereof circumferentiallydivided to form a blank section and a plurality of form sections,severally coacting impression surfaces for saidform sections, amultiple-sheet carrier arranged to present alternate sheets to each oneof said forms at successive revolutions of said form-cylinders andincluding idle carrier sections, and means for delivering said sheetsand effecting the registration of the idle carrier sections with theblank sections of sa d'form-cylinders.

4. In a multicolor printing press, the combination of a form-cylindercircumferentially divided to form a blank section and a plurality ofform sections, severally coacting impression surfaces for said form sections, a sheet-carrier provided with a plurality of sheet-carryingsections arranged to present ashect to each one of said forms atsuccessive revolutions of said form-cylinder and including an idlecarrier section,-

means for feeding a sheet to said carrier at each successive revolutionof said formcylinder, and means for delivering a prlnted sheet from saidcarrier at each successive revolution of said form-cylinder andeifecting the registration of the idle carrier section with the blanksection of said formcylinder.

5. In amulticolor printing press, the combination of a plurality ofform-cylinders, each thereof circumferentially divided to form a blanksection and a plurality of form sections, severally coacting impressionsurfaces for said form section, a sheet-carrier provided with aplurality'of sheet-carrying sections arranged to present a sheet to eachone of said. forms at successive revolutions. of said form-cylinders andincluding idle carrier sections, means for feeding a sheet to saidcarrier'at each successive revolution of said form-cylinders, and meansfor delivering a printed sheet from said carrier at each successiverevolution of said formcylinders and effecting the registration of theidle carrier sections with the blank sections of said form-cylinders.

6. In combination with a printing couple provided with a plurality offorms and severally coacting impression surfaces arranged for.superimposed impressions, of a sheetcarrier comprising an annular frameincluding means for carrying a plurality of sheets in a path tangent theprinting line of said couple, means for advancing the carrier andpresenting the sheets severally to each one of said forms at successiverevolutions of said couple and at a speed common with the printingspeed, and a series of fixed brushes disposed within said annularcarrier frame and having resilient bristles adapted to sup-. portablyengage the sheets and yield under contact of the carrier frame.

7. The combination of a form-cylinder circumferentially divided to forma blank section and aplurality of form sections, severally coactingimpression surfaces for said form sections, a sheet-carrier'providedwith a plurality of sheet-carrying sections ar ranged to present a sheetto each one of said forms at successive revolutions of said formcylinderand including an idle carrier section, means for supplying a blast ofair to said sheets for effecting their contact with the impressionsurfaces and for facilitating the drying action of the impressionthereon, and means for delivering said sheet and effecting theregistration of the idle carrier section with the blank section of saidformcylinder.

8. The combination of a form-cylinder circumferentially divided to forma blank section and a plurality of form sections, severally coactingimpression surfaces for said form sections, independent inkingmechanisms for each of said form sections, a sheetcarrier provided witha plurality of sheetcarrying sections arranged to present a sheet toeach one of said forms at successive revolutions of said, form-cylinderand including an idle cirrrier section, and means for delivering saidsheet and effecting the registration of the idle carrier section withthe blank section of said form-cylinder.

9. .The combination of a form-cylinder eircumferentially divided to formablank section and a plurality of form sections, severally coactingimpression surfaces for said form sections, independent inkingmechanisms adapted to apply ink of different colors to each of saidforms respectively, a sheet-carrier provided with a plurality ofsheet-carrying sections arranged to present a sheet to each one of saidforms at successive revolutions of said form-cylinder and including anidle carrier section, and means for delivering said sheet and effectingthe registration of the idle carrier section with the blank section ofsaid form-cylinder.

10. In combination with a printing couple provided with a plurality offorms and severally coacting impression surfaces arranged forsuperimposed impressions, of a sheetcarrier comprising a pair of annularside heads mounted for rotation, a series of crossbraces connecting saidheads, circumferentially-extending bars fixed to said crossbrace andarranged to support a plurality of sheets movable in a path tangent theprinting line of said couple, gripping means coacting with saidcross-braces to engage the sheets, and means for advancing the carrierfor presenting the sheets severally to each one of said forms atsuccessive revolutions of the printing couple and at a speed common withthe printing speed.

11. In a multicolor printing press, the combination of rotating printingmechanism comprising a form-cylinder circumferentially divided to form ablank section and a plurality of form sections, an impressioncylinderhaving impression surfaces coacting severally with said form sectionsand arranged therewith for consecutive printing action, a sheet-carrierprovided with means I for carrying a plurality of sheets in a pathtangent the printing line of said form and impression cylinders, meansfor advancing said carrier for presenting the sheets sever ally to eachone of said form sections at successive revolutions of said formcylinder and at a speed common with the printing speed, means forfeeding a sheet to said carrier at each successive revolution of saidform-cylinder, and means for delivering a printed sheet from saidcarrier at each successive revolution of said form-cylinder andeffecting the registration of the idle carrier section with the blanksection of said. formcylinder.

12. In a multicolor printing press, the combination of rotating printingmechanism comprising a plurality of formcylinders each thereofcircumferentially divided to form a blank section and a plurality ofform sections, a plurality of impressioncylinders havingimpressionsurfaces coacting severally with the form sections of saidform-cylinders and arrangedv therewith for consecutive printing action,a sheet-carrier provided with means for Carrying a plurality of sheetsin a path tangent the printing line of said form and impressioncylinders, means for advancing said carrier for presenting the sheetsseverally to each one of said form sections at successive revolutions ofsaid form cylinders and at a-speed common With the printing speed, meansfor feeding a sheet to said carrier at eachsuccessive revolution of saidform-cylinders, and means for de-- livering a printed sheet from saidcarrier at each successive revolution of said form-cylinders andeffecting the registration of the idle carrier section with the blanksections of said form-cylinders.

' Signed at New York in the county of New York and State of New Yorkthis 21st day of May A. D. 1913.

FREDERICK M. TURCK. Witnesses CHAS. W. LA RUE, ARTHUR FRISCH.

Copies 0! this patent may be obtained for five cents each, byaddrcssingithe Commissioner of I'atents,

Washington, D. 0.

